Impacts of an invasive ant species on roosting behavior of an island endemic flying‐fox

Dorrestein, Annabel; Todd, Christopher M.; Westcott, David A.; Martin, John M.; Welbergen, Justin A.

doi:10.1111/btp.12620

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Finally, a previously unsuspected threat has been recently identified with evidence of predation or competition for food resources by invasive species such as cats, dogs, rats or ants [83–85]. In New Caledonia, flying-foxes are commonly found in cat scats all-year round, and in most of forest habitats, but both the way predation is achieved and its impact on populations remains to be assessed [86].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring hunted species of cultural significance: Estimates of trends, population sizes and harvesting rates of flying-fox (Pteropus sp.) in New Caledonia

Oedin¹,

Brescia²,

Boissenin³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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Assessing population trends and their underlying factors is critical to propose efficient conservation actions. This assessment can be particularly challenging when dealing with highly mobile, shy and nocturnal animals such as flying-foxes. Here we investigated the dynamics of hunted populations of Pteropus ornatus and P. tonganus in the Northern Province of New Caledonia. First, an ethno-ecological survey involving 219 local experts identified 494 flying-fox roosts. Current status was assessed for 379 of them, among which 125 were no longer occupied, representing a loss of 33% over ca. 40 years. Second, species-specific counts conducted at 35 roosts, and a sample of animals killed by hunters, revealed that the endemic species, P. ornatus, was dominant (68.5%). Between 2010 and 2016, 30 roosts were counted annually during the pre-parturition period. Roosts size averaged 1,425 ± 2,151 individuals (N = 180 counts) and showed high among-year variations (roost-specific CV = 37–162%). If we recorded significant inter-annual variation, we did not detect a significant decline over the 7-yr period, although one roost went possibly extinct. Population size of the two species combined was estimated at 338,000−859,000 individuals distributed over ca. 400 roosts in the Northern Province. Flying-foxes are popular game species and constitute traditional food for all communities of New Caledonia. Annual bags derived from a food survey allowed us to estimate harvesting rates at 5–14%. Such a level of harvesting for species with a ‘slow’ demography, the occurrence of poaching and illegal trade, suggest the current species use might not be sustainable and further investigations are critically needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring hunted species of cultural significance: Estimates of trends, population sizes and harvesting rates of flying-fox (Pteropus sp.) in New Caledonia

Oedin¹,

Brescia²,

Boissenin³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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“…How this reduction in fruit bat population size and behaviour has affected the island's ecosystem, in terms of loss of ecological roles, has not been investigated. Invasive yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracillipes) on Christmas Island disrupt the activity budgets of Pteropus melanotus (Dorrestein et al, 2019), but impacts on foraging and movement behaviour have not been documented.…”

Section: Invasive Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Critical Importance of Old World Fruit Bats for Healthy Ecosystems and Economies

Aziz¹,

McConkey

Tanalgo

et al. 2021

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Despite extensive documentation of the ecological and economic importance of Old World fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and the many threats they face from humans, negative attitudes towards pteropodids have persisted, fuelled by perceptions of bats as being pests and undesirable neighbours. Such long-term negativity towards bats is now further exacerbated by more recent disease-related concerns, particularly associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic. There remains an urgent need to investigate and highlight the positive and beneficial aspects of bats across the Old World. While previous reviews have summarised these extensively, numerous new studies conducted over the last 36 years have provided further valuable data and insights which warrant an updated review. Here we synthesise research on pteropodid-plant interactions, comprising diet, ecological roles, and ecosystem services, conducted during 1985-2020. We uncovered a total of 311 studies covering 75 out of the known 201 pteropodid species (37%), conducted in 47 countries. The majority of studies documented diet (52% of all studies; 67 pteropodid species), followed by foraging movement (49%; 50 pteropodid species), with fewer studies directly investigating the roles played by pteropodids in seed dispersal (24%; 41 pteropodid species), pollination (14%; 19 pteropodid species), and conflict with fruit growers (12%; 11 pteropodid species). Pteropodids were recorded feeding on 1072 plant species from 493 genera and 148 families, with fruits comprising the majority of plant parts consumed, followed by flowers/nectar/pollen, leaves, and other miscellaneous parts. Sixteen pteropodid species have been confirmed to act as pollinators for a total of 21 plant species, and 29 pteropodid species have been confirmed to act as seed dispersers for a total of 311 plant species. Anthropogenic threats disrupting bat-plant interactions in the Old World include hunting, direct persecution, habitat loss/disturbance, invasive species, and climate change, leading to ecosystem-level repercussions. We identify notable research gaps and important research priorities to support conservation action for pteropodids.

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“…Population level declines have been recorded for wedgetail shearwater chicks (Adrena pacifica) harassed by yellow crazy ants in Hawai'i and for the emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica natalis) and juvenile Christmas Island thrush (Turdus poliocephalus erythropleurus), due to direct and indirect effects of the ants on Christmas Island (Davis et al 2008;O'Dowd et al 2003). But population level effects of yellow crazy ants are unknown, or unreported for the critically endangered Christmas Island flying fox (Pteropus natalis) on Christmas Island and Daito whiteeye (Zosterops japonicus daitoensis) and bull-headed shrike fledglings (Lanius bucephalus) on Minami-daito island, Japan, which are also all harassed by the ants (Dorrestein et al 2019;Matsui et al 2009). Evidence for effects of yellow crazy ants on herpetofauna is much more tenuous.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks

et al. 2022

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Invasive ants are among the world’s most damaging invasive species, often directly or indirectly affecting native fauna. Insecticidal baits are the main method for suppressing or eradicating invasive ant populations, but their use must be considered against potential for unintended effects on native organisms. The invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracillipes) is widespread in the tropics, particularly on islands, where they have displaced a range of invertebrates. Effects of this ant on vertebrates, and in continental ecosystems generally, are less studied. We investigated the effects of yellow crazy ants and bait application on rainforest skinks and their invertebrate prey. We compared skink and skink prey abundance across four replicated rainforest site categories: high and low yellow crazy ant sites had both been baited but differed in yellow crazy ant activity; control sites had never had yellow crazy ants or been baited; and buffer sites had never had yellow crazy ants but had been baited. We recorded significantly lower abundance of two small skink species (Lygisaurus laevis and Saproscincus tetradactylus) in high yellow crazy ant sites compared to all other site categories. The differences persisted even after baiting reduced yellow crazy ant activity by 97.8% ± 0.04% (mean ± SD). A larger rainforest skink species (Carlia rubrigularis) was not negatively affected by yellow crazy ant invasion. Skink prey abundance was significantly lower in high yellow crazy ant sites compared to control sites and low yellow crazy ant sites, but not compared to buffer sites. These differences did not persist following baiting. We found no evidence that baiting negatively affects skinks or their invertebrate prey. Our data suggest that yellow crazy ants, but not the bait used to treat them, pose a direct threat to small rainforest skinks.

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Impacts of an invasive ant species on roosting behavior of an island endemic flying‐fox

Cited by 13 publications

References 41 publications

Monitoring hunted species of cultural significance: Estimates of trends, population sizes and harvesting rates of flying-fox (Pteropus sp.) in New Caledonia

Monitoring hunted species of cultural significance: Estimates of trends, population sizes and harvesting rates of flying-fox (Pteropus sp.) in New Caledonia

The Critical Importance of Old World Fruit Bats for Healthy Ecosystems and Economies

Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks

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